INDEPENDENT NEWS

Website puts writers in front of major publishers

Published: Thu 22 Nov 2007 10:56 AM
Open door for authors
New website puts writers in front of major publishers
A new website is giving aspiring New Zealand authors the chance to have their work seen by major publishers around the world via an easily-accessible website.
www.worthyofpublishing.com went live last month and gives writers a chance to promote their books to an increasingly wide audience free of charge. It also gives publishers the opportunity to review books that have not yet been published. The website was activated on the 27 October 2007 and has already attracted a wide array of writers who have submitted content across a broad range of genres.
The simple tools on the website allows writers to upload a description of their book and as many chapters as they feel necessary for visitors to review and rate. The website also includes a feature that allows readers to submit comments – an extremely useful tool for writers, readers and publishers alike to assess what actual reader reaction is to the books. High ratings for a book and positive comments can be an indication of its potential popularity once published.
It is a reality that in the publishing industry, it is estimated that 70 per cent of books don’t make the publisher a profit. This website has been set up to provide a means of gauging not only the quality of books that might have languished on the slush-pile for years, but the degree to which people would be willing to buy and read the published book. It is also common knowledge that many highly successful writers, such as JK Rowling of the Harry Potter series, have had their manuscripts initially rejected by numerous publishers before finally being accepted and published. The website aims to provide a convenient, simple and easily-accessible link between the public and writers and publishers.
Aaron Cook, director of Worthyofpublishing.com believes it makes sense to offer the market the opportunity to decide if a book is worthy of publishing through the simple process of choosing a genre of interest and then rating the books on offer - since these readers would be the same people buying the books once they are published in the physical world. Responses also indicate to writers and publishers what kind of books people are looking for.
At this early stage, the website has already attracted the attention of several local and international publishers who are keeping an eye on the response of readers and the ratings they give each book. In time, with more and more writers posting their work, the work offered on Worthyofpublishing.com will offer a fascinating cross-section of contemporary writing.
Cook encourages writers to indicate the target market for the book when writing a blurb about their book on the website, as this can help attract the relevant readers to view and rate the content. The website offers writers and readers free access to what will be an exciting range of unpublished books online.
Jenny Harrison of Authors Direct says “In the future publishers won’t need a slush pile of manuscripts, all they will need is Worthyofpublishing.com”
Ends

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